DELMIA Milling Machining

Creating 3-Axis and 5-Axis milling operations in a virtual environment

DELMIA Milling Machining (MIM) is an extension to DELMIA Prismatic Machining (MTM). It adds the capability to program milling operations for 3D parts that require advanced 3-axis milling, including the ability to switch to 5-axis motion. NC Programmers are immersed in a lifelike Version 6 3D environment as they create, optimize, and validate milling programs in the context of the physical workplace.

Through its Version 6 PLM environment, MIM provides easy access to information for machining resources, programs, and workpiece setup that is always up-to-date. NC Programmers can capture and leverage enterprise intellectual property and collaborate with other stakeholders as they develop, validate, and optimize NC programs.

Reduce NC programming time

Maximize machine tool utilization

Mitigate risk by using PLM shop floor resources

Leverage intellectual property

Implement a single solution from Design to Machining

Get improved understanding of the impact of engineering changes

Efficient programming of 3-axis milling operations

MIM offers a full set of high-end strategies from roughing to finishing, such as sweeping, Z-Level, contour-driven machining, and curve machining. It supports efficient programming by automatically generating machining tool paths for the entire part. The machine tool’s kinematic definition is looked at during tool path computation; when errors are encountered, the tool path is automatically corrected. Users can also author machining operations needed to machine specific features. High-speed milling features and specific pattern operations for hard-material machining (concentric, trochoid, helix 3D) are included. With this powerful combination, users can drive program generation to shape a proven-quality tool path and get the best possible machine usage.

Tool path optimization: taking NC machine kinematics into account

MIM expands on a capability in DELMIA Prismatic Machining (MTM). MTM lets users identify potential machine-tool kinematic issues during tool path computation and automatically correct the tool path when errors are found. Kinematic-related errors (such as axis out-of-limit and singularity issues) would normally be discovered downstream during machine-tool simulation or physical test runs. These errors are now found and solved at the earliest possible point in the business process—during tool path computation, resulting in huge productivity gains.

Powerful roughing and seamless roughing rework

Users can select a roughing strategy—such as back-and-forth, helical, concentric or part-offset—based on the material being machined and the shape of the part. MIM takes tool assemblies into account during computation to generate a collision-free tool path. As roughing operations are defined, the in-process part is computed and used as the starting point for the next set of operations. Users can then create a new roughing operation with a smaller diameter tool. This tool path is automatically generated based on material that remains from any previous operation, including roughing.

Dedicated strategies for Hard Material

The strategies dedicated for hard material machining, are available in Spiral Machining and in Roughing. These operations benefit from this proven technology validated on titanium part with pilot customers. It results in a better control of the workload on the cutter that dramatically extends its life duration.

Instant Update Technology that boosts user productivity

Adjusting parameters in the machining operation, fine-tuning the approach/retract macro, and optimizing path sequencing are achieved almost instantaneously in MIM through this unique technology. Only the tool path subset impacted by the change is recomputed, saving both time and effort.

This unique feature of DELMIA Milling operations lets you locally apply 5-axis motions. This is useful for solving interferences between the part and the tool assembly and for machining 3-axis operations along surfaces that require continuous 5-axis interpolated moves.

Sharing and reuse of surface machining features

Areas to be machined, such as user-defined geometrical zones, areas not accessible for a given tool, flat areas, and steep areas are managed as machining features. Because they are independent from the part and from the machining operation, they can be computed, manually edited, and saved for sharing and re-use.

A single IP platform to manage machining resources

MIM is a Version 6 solution that utilizes the PLM 2.0 platform, allowing users to manage CNC machines, accessories, tools, and tool assemblies as PLM 2.0 objects. These resources can be retrieved through standard PLM search capabilities using relevant machining attributes, then instantiated in a machining cell. Users can better understand the impact of changes to the definition of PLM 2.0 objects, such as part or cutting tool definitions, across all NC processes and programs. This single IP platform supports default or customized representation of the cutter and tool assemblies that are used for verification, simulation with material removal, and collision check.

A context-based immersive user interface

Users of MIM are immersed in a Version 6 3D environment as they perform their programming tasks. Context-based menus appear, based on what users are doing. Traffic lights signal when parameters remain undefined. Help icons assist in editing each parameter. When a help icon is clicked, an image describing the parameter pops up in the panel. Users can quickly organize programs in the activities process tree using the copy-paste function. Tool changes and machine rotations are automatically generated and can be visualized in the activity process tree.

Quick tool path verification and editing

Tool path replay allows generation and verification of individual operations or of the complete program. Alternative machining strategies can be tested to obtain collision-free trajectories. The tool path can be replicated, mirrored, or translated and locally edited when needed.

In-process part visualization and material-removal simulation

Users can visualize the in-process part and analyze remaining material. The in-process part is taken into account during tool path generation (this option can be activated for a whole program or at operation level). Workpiece material removal can be displayed using cutting-tool colors that help users see which cutter generated the machined shape.

High-level automation and standardization

Machining processes can be defined as dedicated templates and stored in a catalog for reuse. The template can then be retrieved and applied to the design features of the part geometry. As a result, intellectual property is capitalized and reused to make programming more efficient. NC objects and attributes are handled as knowledgeware objects to increase the level of automation and standardization in NC program creation.

Product design change management

MIM is a Version 6 solution that offers complete associativity among CATIA Version 6 design tools, product engineering, manufacturing processes, and resources. Users are automatically alerted to product design changes and can quickly assess their impact on the machining process. When necessary, users can easily update the tool path program.

Seamless NC data generation

MIM offers seamless generation of APT source and NC Code ISO format through the integrated post-processor execution engine, the library of standard post-processor syntax mapping tables, and post-processor samples. The output formats are easily customizable. Output is generated and managed as PLM 2.0 objects in the IP platform. The manufacturing program’s key information can be exported as documentation for ready reference on the shop floor.